Publication: Dallas News Author: Dawn M. Burkes Date: November 16, 2013 Harry Connick Jr. proved he knows it’s about showing, not telling at the Winspear Opera House on Friday. Always charismatic, he kicked things off with “With a Song in My Heart” and kept it there. The vocals accompany the music at Connick’s concerts, not the other way around. Less than 10 minutes in, he handed the microphone to trombonist Lucien Barbarin and let the music speak for him. Connick has the sense to know that a band of merry men is also important to his story. And he and his audiences reap the benefits. Lead violinist Louise Owen called on childhood friend and University of North Texas College of Music coordinator of strings Susan Dubois to pull together a local string section (gracious, restrained) for the tour stop. Guitar great Jonathan DuBose and multi-instrumentalist Barbarin deservedly spent almost as much time center stage as Connick, in addition to string bass player Neal Caine and sax man Jerry Weldon. But then there was the rhythmic center. “The two most important things in my life are my wife [former model-actress Jill Goodacre from Lubbock] and my drummer. And they’re both from Texas,” Connick said. Arthur Latin, “a proud East Texan” from Nacogdoches, lived up to the billing by providing an anchor in the maelstrom of talent. One could tell the orchestra had been on the road a long time — since June this time, said Owen — and they love it. Much like the audience, which got everything it wanted (except for the fan who kept yelling for “Danny Boy”). Standards: “Wrap Your Troubles in Dreams” was whimsical and “You Don’t Know Me” was lovely and fluid with some gospel spice. Originals: Connick flipped the arrangement of “Come by Me” from the 1999 album of the same name. Broadway: He talk-sang “Take Her to the Mardi Gras.” New: He burned through the sexy “One Fine Thing.” Old: He reverently covered Don McLean’s “And I Love You So.” Of course, he played tribute to New Orleans. And he played several instruments, sometimes several at once. There was even the surprise of “the world’s greatest singer,” Kim Burrell. And Connick only made one mention of his upcoming gig as a judge on American Idol. Connick praised the city of Dallas for its support of music’s future through the “phenomenal” Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts. He had been blown away by the facilities and the students during an impromptu visit. Early on in the show, Connick wondered why it had been so long since he and his orchestra had played here. “I always remember having the best time, and this is one of the most beautiful buildings I’ve ever seen in my life,” he said. “This is the perfect city to play. New Orleans has seen me; they’re over it.” The typically buttoned-down Dallas crowd basked in the praise. After the curtain went down on the two-hour show, they stayed on their feet. Connick, Barbarin and DuBose returned for a medley of what felt like everything — except “Danny Boy.” Connick didn’t take that bait.